The England cricket tour to Pakistan could be called off following a row between Mike Gatting and the umpire Shakoor Rana.

There was no play during the second test today after Rana refused to take the field until the England captain apologised to him for a heated exchange which broke out between them yesterday.

But Gatting is demanding an apology from the umpire.

The deadlock comes after both men clashed twice at Faisalabad yesterday on the second day of play.

'Furious row'

Gatting stood shaking his head and was heard saying, "One rule for one, one for another", after his appeal for a catch was turned down.

Later, the umpire triggered a furious row - in which the captain began pointing and shouting - when he accused Gatting of cheating.

It has thrown the series into chaos after the England side waited on the field for play but the umpire remained in the pavilion.

The players are said to have given Gatting their full support.

Behind the scenes a series of negotiations have been taking place and both men met to reach a compromise but failed.

It is understood Gatting is prepared to apologise but only if Rana withdraws his allegation of cheating.

Discussions

England tour manager Peter Lush said discussions between the two men had been a "little bit tense" and he described Mr Rana as being "very sensitive".

But the umpire said: "He [Gatting] just abused me. I cannot tell you what did he say but he used filthy language."

Pakistan Cricket Board official Ijaj Butt said: "The series might be called off because there is no point in playing the game of cricket if this is the feeling to prevail between the umpires and one of the sides."

England pulled out of a tour of Pakistan in 1969 after disruptive anti-British riots.

A cancellation now would mean the first time events on the field have brought players home in test cricket's 111 year history.

Gatting's outburst came after growing tensions on the field which had begun during a summer tour involving accusations of controversial umpiring decisions favouring Pakistan.

The following day the Test and Country Cricket Board ordered Gatting to apologise and play resumed.

But the incident marred relations between the two countries and the Foreign Office became involved.

It prompted a national debate with accusations of racial bigotry.

England did not tour Pakistan again until the winter of 2000.

In 1988, Gatting was allegedly involved in an affair with a barmaid and was sacked as England captain but it was widely perceived as an excuse for something which sporting authorities had wanted to do after the Pakistan tour.